Bib



(No Model.)

, H. P. LENHART.

BIB.

No. 590,991. Patented Oct. 5, 1897.

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W, 9 ATTOR Y.

"m: Nonms PUERS co FNOTO-LITNQ, WASHINGTON, one,

Umifnb STATES HARRY P. LENI-IART, or

PATENT @rrrcs.

TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 590,991, dated October 5, 1897. Application filed January 12, 1897. eel-a1 No. 618,937. (No as To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY P. LENHART, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Terre Haute, in the county of Vigo and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Bibs, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a bib for childrens use which will receive and hold whatever is dropped by the child in cating, and is capable of being attached and removed readily.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the bib in use; Fig. 2, a perspective of the bib separately extended to a substantially flat position; Fig. 3, aside view of the same in the position when the hook is used to attach the device to the clothing of the child; Fig. 4, a view illustrating the position of the bib at the table after the child has left, but before the bib is taken away; and Fig. 5, a

perspective view of one of the spring-clamps.

In order that the bib shall be capable of subserving its purpose perfectly, it is to be made of some fabric impervious to liquid, such as oil-cloth. This fabric A has a binding a, which extends entirely around it and which for a suitable distance from the point where it is attached to the table or similar structure from which the child is being fed is so attached that the edges of the fabric A are gathered in, the result being that the edges extend upwardly above the center, giving the bib a dish-like form at that point, so that whatever falls onto the bib, even if it is of a liquid or semiliquid character, will be retained thereby.

form best shown in the detail Fig. 5. These clasp the edge of the table sufficiently firmly to hold the bib in place during ordinary use, although, as will be readily understood, said clamps can be readily detached and the bib thus removed from said connection. These clamps have no tendency to draw the tablecloth off the table, as hooks would if employed.

Near the upper end of the bib is secured a At the lower corners of' the bib are secured spring-clamps B, of the structure 0, which forms a hook by which the bib may be attached to the childs clothing and which also forms a bar extending across the bib and supports its upper end in distended position. This structure is preferably formed of a metal wire or strip and may be secured in place by pieces of binding stitched over its bar portions, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. This hook, as children are ordinarily dressed, is. used to attach the bib to the person by booking over the collar of the child under the chin. Where, however, the dress is not suitable or for any other reason it is not desired to use this hook, then the eX- tension orportion beyond .the structure 0 can be employed and the strings a, which are attached to the corners of said extension, tied about the neck in the same manner that bibs are commonly tied, as shown in Fig. 1. In this case the hook is turned down out of the way of the chin, but the extensions there on still serve as a rod to keep the upper end of the bib distended.

IV hen the child is through eating or for any other reason it is desirous to leave the table, the hook can be inserted in an eye or loop D near the bottom end of the bib,as shown in Fig. 4, and said bib thus retains whatever has been dropped thereon until it is desired to remove itl'roin the table and clean it. The floor is thus protected from being soiled by such droppings, both while the child is eating and after it has finished. the bib, caused by gathering the edges in binding so that said edges are higher than the central portion, contributes in an important degree to this result.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A bib composed of the usual flexible bodyportion, spring-clamps attached directly to the fabric at the lower end whereby the bib is adapted to be secured directly to the table, and a distention-rod having a hook secured in like manner to the upper end, sub stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A bib composed of a fabric having the edges gathered in, whereby the bib at its The shape of lower portion is given a dish-like form, springby it may be attached to a table, and a combined hook and distention-bar at the upper end, substantially as shown and described.

3. A bib composed of a fabric impervious to liquids, the edges whereof are gathered or shortened to give the bib a dish-like form near the lower end, clamps on its lower cor- 11ers whereby it may be attached to a table, a distention-bar at or near the upper end, and means whereby the bib may be attached to the person of the child at said upper end, substantially as set forth.

4. Abib composed of a fabric the edges whereof are drawn or gathered so as to give the bib a dish-like form near its lower end, clamps at the lower corners whereby it may HARRY P. LENI-IART.

VVitnesse-s:

WALTER B. FREEMAN, CARL MUEHLER. 

